Over the last several years, we have seen a rise in the
interest in Betta species among our membership.
Due to the efforts of a few of our members, many new
species of Betta have found their way to the
United States. A practical and long term SMP is an
integral part of the future IBC. The SMP is a program
that places emphasis on the propagation and conservation
of all species of the genus
Betta, particularly those that are endangered
or threatened with the possibility of extinction.

Key to this goal is an organized SMP that functions as
the clearinghouse and resource center for all existing
available information, promotes continued research to
learn as much as we can about these species and their
needs, provides stock cataloging, breeder networking and
offers judging guidance. In order to achieve these
goals, we plan to begin implementation of the following
objectives immediately:

SMP Advisory Board. The SMP Advisory Board consists
of experienced breeders of different Betta
species from around the world. The SMP Advisory Board
links our efforts with existing breeding programs in
other parts of the world and serves as a conduit for
resources to flow in to our program. Members of the SMP
Advisory Board share their experiences regarding
different species of Betta. In addition, they
help to gather and disseminate accurate information on
the specific requirements pertinent to each species'
care and breeding.

Advise the IBC Judging Board. In addition to it's
role in the conservation of the different species of
Betta, the SMP, upon request, provides advice to the
Judging Board regarding the development of new standards
for the different Betta species. The SMP also
keeps the Judging Board apprised of updates as they
become available and make suggestions as it sees fit.

Species Identification. With the aid of the SMP
Advisory Board, the SMP aids IBC members in identifying
the different species of
Betta and keeps the IBC abreast of the latest
developments in taxonomical and nomenclatural within the
genus. Also with the help of the Advisory Board, the SMP
maintains a catalog of all described and known but not
yet described species of Betta. This catalog
includes reviews of the original description with
pictures.

Stock Maintenance. An official directory of breeders
of different species of Betta
has been established. This directory is used to help
locate available stock. Breeders of the different
species of Betta are encouraged to record their
spawns with the SMP Spawn Log. A key factor of the SMP
Spawn Log is its lineage detail. This is vital in
maintaining a genetically diverse captive population.
Breeders interested in breeding and maintaining the
different species of Betta have access to this
Spawn Log and can use it as a tool for selecting
appropriate pairs.

Public Relations. The IBC SMP program has it's own
separate website under the umbrella of the IBC. This
website serves as the primary means of information
sharing (in addition to FLARE!).

Slide Show Program. A slide show program has been
developed and made available to all chapters of the IBC
and other aquarium societies.

Species Complex Management Program. The IBC
SMPís Species Complex Management Program is where our
program transcends beyond the level of providing
up-to-date information and provides an opportunity for
the IBC and its members to play a vital role in
conservation to ensure that species Bettas will
survive, if not in the wild, than at least in captivity.
The IBC SMP Complex Management Program works with
individual breeders to maintain logs of spawns in
addition to stock offerings. Stock offerings through the
IBC-SMP-CMP are provided both by means of distribution
from spawns logged with the IBC SMP as well as
out-crossing to unrelated wild stock or other captive
populations.

Yahoo Group. The IBC SMP uses a Yahoo Group
as a means convey information to group members quickly
and efficiently. For more information go to the
Contact Page.